How to pronounce handsel
Say it like HAND-sul. Handsel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce handsel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAND
- sul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Handsel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HANDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- sulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of handsel
American and British speakers say handsel in essentially the same way: /ˈhændsəl/ in the US and /ˈhændsəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAND-sul.
What does handsel mean?
- A gift given at New Year, or at the start of some enterprise or new situation, meant to ensure good luck.
- To give a handsel to.
- To inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in.
- To use or do for the first time, especially so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.
Where does handsel come from?
From Middle English handsell, hanselle, from Old English handselen and/or Old Norse handsal (literally “hand-gift”).
Questions about saying handsel
How do you pronounce handsel?
Say HAND-sul. The American pronunciation is /ˈhændsəl/. In British English it is /ˈhændsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in handsel?
Handsel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAND). Broken into parts: HAND · sul.
Do Americans and Brits say handsel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhændsəl/ and the British form is /ˈhændsəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.